Leadership

I deeply believe in the power of early support, mentorship, education, and empowerment in shaping the lives of girls and young women. Girls Inc.’s mission to inspire girls to be strong, smart, and bold aligns closely with both my personal values and my professional life’s work. With over 25 years of experience supporting children, youth, families, and communities through trauma-informed care, mental health education, crisis intervention, and family systems work, I am passionate about contributing to spaces where girls feel seen, heard, valued, and capable. I believe every girl deserves access to safe, supportive environments where she can build confidence, strengthen her voice, develop resilience, and recognize her own worth. Serving as a Director allows me to contribute my experience in leadership, governance, advocacy, program development, and community wellness while supporting an organization that is creating meaningful, lasting impact. I am honoured to be part of work that helps girls and young women grow into confident, empowered leaders within our community and beyond.

I joined Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta because I wanted to dedicate my time to a cause that truly matters, and invest in something deeply important to me: the next generation. As a woman, with kids and step-kid of my own, I know firsthand how vital a positive role model can be. I want to share my own strengths and life experiences to help create spaces where young girls can grow, thrive, and discover their confidence. I am so proud to give back by supporting the incredible programming and mission of Girls Inc.

I understand firsthand the impact of a nurturing and empowering environment on young lives. Fueled through my own experiences growing up with a mother grappling with addiction, this experience has helped ignite my passion for supporting and empowering young girls facing similar challenges. I am committed to leveraging my professional acumen to create positive change and opportunities for girls in need. I believe in the transformative power of education, mentorship, and community support to break cycles of adversity and pave the way for a brighter future.

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and this wonderful community means so much to me and have given me and my family ample opportunities. My passion has always been in empowering young generations to unlock and unleash their full potential. I am a firm believer of Diversity and Inclusion and believe in equal opportunities. Girls Inc. is one of the few organizations in Northern Alberta and in this region which provides mentorship, awareness, and support to young girls to be strong, smart and bold. It inspires young girls to be self-confident and I am proud to be part of Girls Inc.

Growing up, I learned that confidence can change the course of a person's life. When someone believes in your potential, encourages you to speak up, and reminds you that your voice matters, it can open doors you never imagined possible. That is why I chose to serve on the Board. I am passionate about creating opportunities for girls and young women to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and realize their full potential. I believe that when we empower girls to be bold, strong, and smart, we are investing not only in their future but in the future of our entire community. As an experienced leader, I am excited to contribute my strategic, financial, and governance expertise to help strengthen the organization's impact and long-term sustainability. I am honoured to be part of a team that is helping the next generation of girls discover their strength, pursue their ambitions, and become the leaders they were meant to be.

Growing up as a refugee in Canada, I quickly learned the value of hard work and dedication and these values helped me throughout my career, in school, and work. My mom used to always tell me never to give up and she instilled the same values in my twin sister. Girls Inc. provides opportunities of growth for those that may not have that system elsewhere, and this is what drove me towards participating on the board such that I can contribute towards helping create opportunities for the future generation.

I joined Girls Inc. to support the important work they do offering programming for local girls in the Wood Buffalo region and to drive decision making and advocacy for safe, supportive environments that foster empowerment, self-esteem, and resilience. Having been in formalized leadership positions with the public school division, I have seen the great work that Girls Inc. does and the profound impact they have on self-identified females.

There are many self-fulfilling reasons for serving on a board, but the main reason I choose to support Girls Inc is their great mission to inspire and empower girls. I have always wanted an opportunity to give back and help shape the future of girls in the region and make a meaningful impact to this wonderful community. Getting to network and build relationships with people who share similar interests is a plus!

Having been part of the Wood Buffalo region for nearly two decades, I have had the privilege of witnessing the meaningful and lasting impact Girls Inc. has made on young girls in our community. Its programs empower girls to be strong in their confidence, smart in their aspirations, and bold in their decision making and leadership. I am deeply inspired by this mission and am honoured to contribute to its continued success, bringing my professional experience along with a strong commitment to community impact in support of these values.

Guided by a rich lineage of strong, inspiring women, I have always poured my energy into the cycle of teaching and learning. My heritage taught me to meet life with enthusiasm and grit, a lesson that shaped my path long before I stepped into my own roles as a mother and an educator. Today, wearing both of those hats, my perspective has expanded. Looking closely at the rapidly changing world the next generation is inheriting, I see both incredible potential and unprecedented challenges. It has fueled a deep, personal commitment in me to ensure our girls don't just navigate this world, but actively shape it. Through Girls Inc., I am privileged to pour that passion back into our community as a Director. It provides the perfect platform to influence the next generation, cultivating the leadership, unwavering confidence, and pride young girls need to stand tall and meet today's challenges head-on.

I have spent much of my professional life leading diverse teams. This experience has given me insight into how the early introduction of leadership skills allows individuals to excel throughout their lives. Having had the good fortune to see Girls Inc. programming and the impact it has on the girls of our community firsthand, I am excited to join the board of this exceptional organization. I have an extensive background in finance and leadership, having spent the last 20 years in various banking roles. I look forward to utilizing my experience to support Girls Inc. in its mission and help the Girls of Northern Alberta develop the skills to become the leaders of tomorrow.

I am excited to join the Board of Directors because I believe that strong communities are built by investing in the confidence, leadership, and potential of the next generation. Throughout my career and volunteer leadership experience, I have seen firsthand how access to mentorship, encouragement, and opportunities can change the trajectory of a young person's life. This commitment is also deeply personal. My wife and I are raising four children, three of whom are daughters. As a father, I want my girls to grow up in a community where they have every opportunity to learn, lead, explore their interests, and pursue their ambitions without limitations. I want them and all young women in our region to have access to the support, mentorship, and programs that build confidence, resilience, and a belief in what is possible. Having spent more than 25 years working in heavy industry and progressing from frontline technician roles to senior leadership, I understand the importance of ensuring young people can see pathways to leadership, skilled trades, and careers they may not have previously considered possible. My commitment to community leadership has always been rooted in supporting youth development. Through experiences serving as President of the Coaldale Spartans Football Club and Vice President of the Lethbridge Rugby Club, I witnessed the lasting impact that positive role models, inclusive programs, and supportive organizations have on building confidence, resilience, and life skills in young people. As a resident and leader, I am committed to contributing to the long-term success and sustainability of the Wood Buffalo region. Joining the Girls Inc. board provides an opportunity to combine my professional experience in strategy, governance, operational leadership, and community engagement with my passion for development. I want to help ensure that young women in our region have the support, opportunities, and resources they need to reach their full potential and become the leaders, innovators, professionals, entrepreneurs, and community builders of tomorrow. Simply put, my "why" is about giving back and helping shape the kind of community I want my children to inherit. It is about ensuring that every girl in Northern Alberta can discover her strengths, pursue her goals with confidence, and realize her full potential. By serving on the Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta Board, I hope to contribute to a lasting legacy of empowerment, inclusion, and opportunity for the young women who will help define the future of our region.

As a mother of four, I understand how much it matters for young people to feel supported and encouraged by people who see their potential, even before they fully see it themselves. It is one of the reasons I care so much about work that helps girls and young women feel more confident as they grow. In my work in marketing and communications, I have learned how much the right message can do. It can help people understand why something matters and move them to support it in a real way. I am proud to bring my experience in communications and community engagement to Girls Inc. I care deeply about helping create spaces where girls know they matter and can imagine more for themselves.